Chapter 1
"General, sir," Lieutenant Mitaka says, striding up to General Hux on the control room of the Finalizer. "We have a new initiate."
Hux looked at the lieutenant out of the corner of his eye. Mitaka wrung his hands nervously. He had become extra cautious of his superiors after Commander Ren nearly choked him to death. Letting out a little sigh, Hux finally responded, "Name of initiate?"
"An Officer Mildred, sir."
An unreadable expression crossed the general's face at the mention of the initiate's name. "Mildred? I will see her immediately." Mitaka bowed and scuttled away, wiping his forehead with a little handkerchief.
General Hux made his way down the grey walls of the Finalizer, before stopping at a door and walking in to a white walled room. He looked tiredly at the officers in the room, one of which, a girl with shiny auburn hair pulled back into a tight bun, with bright green eyes. "Officer Mildred?" Hux announced, staring her down with his cold blue eyes.
She stared back at him, her gaze unwavering. "Yes." Her voice was small and quiet, but strong and decisive.
"You're the new initiate?"
"I am."
General Hux turned to Chief Officer Unamo and waved his hand. "You may go back to your station." He said. He then returned his attention to Officer Mildred. She didn't look fazed by his cold stare, and even looked a little bored. His eye twitched. He picked up her file and skimmed over it, after a few pages his eyes widened. "Well, Officer. I must say this is impressive. It says you had the highest marks in your class. You must be proud of yourself." He glanced down at her.
She didn't break her gaze. "I am."
General Hux set down her file and proceeded to pick up a folder. "Do you know what this is, Officer Mildred?" he asked her, his face hard.
Mildred looked down at the papers. "The First Order Rules and Regulations." She answered.
Hux opened up the folder and began to read. "'The First Order are not liable for any harm that may come to or by any employees...'" As he read he kept a close eye on Mildred. He flipped to a later page, as Mildred's eyes started to glaze over from boredom. "'First Order employees are not permitted to have any sexual contact with their co-workers'..." He laughed inside as her eyes flew open.
"Excuse me?" she repeated. "But only during work hours right?"
Hux set down his folder. "Yes, of course. Because during work hours, you're supposed to be working. Any none work-related activity during 0900 to 01700 are not permitted." He returned back to the folder. " 'Any breaking of these rules can result in a demotion and/or firing. All final decisions are to be made by the General.'" He shut the folder and set it back onto the desk, and got up and began pacing the room. Officer Mildred remained quiet. "So, despite your obvious talents," he said. "This job will not be easy. It will take an extreme amount of dedication to your superiors, your work, and, of course, the First Order! And, as you've just heard, there are rules." He continued once he saw she was listening closely. "The most important rule to follow is one you've already broken."
At this, a flash of distress crossed her face. "Excuse me?"
General Hux stopped right in front of her. "There it is again."
Officer Mildred's forehead wrinkled as she wondered what this crazy redhead meant. "I'm not sure I understand."
"Any guesses?" Hux taunted, crossing his arms.
Mildred tucked a strand of her auburn hair behind her ear while she thought. Then it dawned on her. "Oh." She looked back up at him. "Pardon me, sir."
Hux smirked. "Good. You must always call me 'sir'." He stood up and smoothed out his coat, casting a dismissive glance at Officer Mildred, who still looked bewildered. "You're dismissed." And with a satisfied smile, General Hux left the room, and Officer Mildred's face melted in a fiery glare. "What a son-of-a—" Before she could finish her statement, Chief Officer Unamo with Lieutenant Mitaka and another initiate, young Officer Tara came into the room to finish off the paperwork. Tara gave her a wide-eyed look and Mildred rolled her eyes at her.